Unconventional gas, oil and coal mining threatens SA

Submitted by Cam Walker on Fri, 01/08/2014 - 11:35

Most of South East South Australia is under exploration license for Unconventional Gas and Oil. The South Australian government’s “Roadmap for Unconventional Gas Projects in SA” outlines the government and industry vision to allow exploration and extraction of shale gas, coal seam gas and tight gas in 35% of the state. Tenements cover arid zone areas as well as populated regional areas, and important farmland.

The experience in other states is that this is a deeply destructive industry that cannot co-exist peacefully with other land use like farming, conservation or tourism.

The best chance to knock this industry off is before it gets established in new areas.

However, the major Parties have voted against a 2 year moratorium on fracking. Until the government and community understand the impacts of gas drilling on water quality, soil health, climate change and local economies, it would be unwise to proceed with allowing this industry into new areas.